National Survey of Energy Balance-related Care Among Primary Care Physicians

National Survey of Energy Balance-related Care among Primary Care Physicians

This survey, one of several physician surveys conducted by
the Applied Research Program, is designed to obtain current, nationally
representative data on primary care physicians' (PCPs') characteristics, knowledge,
attitudes, and practices related to services for diet, physical activity, and weight
control. The goal is to develop a national baseline on the use of energy balance risk
assessment, counseling and referral services in physician practice and to identify the
characteristics of physicians who routinely incorporate these activities in patient
care.

PCPs surveyed consist of those who treat both adults and children, including
internists, family physicians, obstetricians/gynecologists, and pediatricians.
The survey will support and further goals to monitor and evaluate providers' cancer
control knowledge, attitudes, and practices and their impact on population health.

The project is co-funded by NIDDK, NICHD, OBSSR, and CDC. NCI fielded the survey
instruments in 2008. Data from the survey will be used to
profile existing physician practice, understand barriers to counseling and referral, and
inform the planning and design of new initiatives to spread the use of these services more
widely within the physician community.

Publications are available. Additional manuscripts are in development and are forthcoming.